Drop door



C. E. THOMAS.

DROP DOOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I2, 1921.

1,407,359. Patented B01121, 1922.

/7 I 6Z7wms All ,NITED STATES PATENT CHARLEs E. THOMAS, OF EL PASO GAP, NEW MEXICO.

DROP DOOR.

Specification of LettersPatent. Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

Application filed March 12, 1921. Serial No. 451,724.

T all w ham it may concern Be it knownthat I, CHARLES E. THOMAS,

a citizen of the United States, residing at- El Paso' Gap, in the county of Eddy and State of new Mexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drop Doors, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in drop doors, audit is an object of the invention to provide novel and improved means for maintaining said door in a raised or closed position, said means embodying construction and in the combination and arrangementbf the several parts of my improved drop doorwhereby-certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective illustrating a drop door constructed in accord ance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view, on a reduced scale, taken through the structure as illustrated in Figure 1; and

Figure 8 is a view in perspective of the portion of the looking or latch mechanism as herein embodied.

As herein disclosed, my improved drop door is shown as applied for use in connection with a chicken-house or the like but I do not wish to beunderstood as limiting myself to this particular use as it will be obvious that my improved device may be employed for other purposes.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes the Wall of a chicken-house or'the like provided with a door opening 2 and which opening 2 is defined by the outwardly directed vestibule V including the vertically disposed side members 3 and flooi ing 1. The vestibule also includes the top or roof 5 but it is to be understood that, when my invention is employed for other purposes, the top or roof 5 may be omitted.

The forward ends or edges 6 of the side walls 3 are disposed on a downward and inward incline so that the door D, when in its raised or closed position, does not as sume a vertical position. Thedoor D is pivotally or hingedly connected, as at 7, at its lower portion with the floor 4 and is adapted to drop by gravity into open 7 position, which open position is indicated by dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

Connecting the upper marginal'portions or edges of the side walls 3 at the outer ends thereof is a cross strip or plate 8, said plate in thepresent embodiment of my inventionbein'g shown. as partially underlying the forward portion or top of the roof '5. The forward or outer longitudinal marginal portion of the strip or plate 8 at substantially the center thereof is provided with an opening 9 through which is slidably directed a depending arm or latch 10. The arm or latch 10, when at the limit of its downward movement, is adapted to extend through an inwardly directed staple 11 or kindred member carried by the outer or free marginal portion of the door D whereby said door D is held in its raised or closed position.

The arm or latch 10 depends from the central part of the intermediate portion 12 of a member M, said member M being herein disclosed as in the form of an inverted U. The side members or arms 14 of the member M extend downwardly through the openings 15 provided in the opposite end portions of the strip or plate 8 and positioned inwardly of but in substantially close proximity to the side walls 3 of the vestibule V.

The lower end portions of the side arms 14 of the member M are pivotally engaged, as at 16, with the extremities of a cross member 17 carried by and underlying an end portion of an elongated platform 18. The platform 18, as herein disclosed, is of a length to extend a desired distance outwardly of the inner end of "the vestibule V and the central portion of said platform l8 rests upon a fulcrum strip 19. This strip 19 extends transversely of the inner end of the floor 4 and'has its upper end convex in cross section so that the platform 18 will have free swinging movement in a vertical direction.

In order to hold the platform 18 in applied position, a pin 20 extendsupwardly from the Strip 19 and preferably at the center thereof which pin is also disposed through a suitably arranged opening 21- in the platform.

. l/Vith the door D in closed position, as

illustrated by full lines in Figures 1 and 2,

the weight of a fowl or other weight upon the extended portion of the platform 18' will cause the inner end of said platform to rise. This movement will result in an upward movementiof the member M a distance sufficient to disengage the arm or latch 10 from the staple or kindredmember 11, whereupon the door D will drop by gravity into open position;

- In order to hold the door D in closed position independently of the member M, I provide the swingingcatch 22 herein disclosed as pivotally engaged with one end portion of the member or plate 8 and which is adapted to coact with the door D when inits raised Or closed position, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, to hold said door D against dropping or opening movement.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a drop door constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of.

the several parts herein shown in carrying out my inventionin practice except as here inafter claimed. 7

I claim: I In combination ported at its lower portion for swinglng movement in a vertical direction, a horizon;-

tally disposed strip supported in a position with Q a drop door sup- V are engaged whereby movement of the. platform in one direction imparts movementto the member in a direction to disengage the latch carried by the member from the door to permit said door to drop by gravity. .1 In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature. 7

. CHARLES E. THOMAS.

which the arms of the first named member 1 

